Page 30 - Shri Venkateswara Book

All the living entities in the material world are
bewildered by the modes of material nature. They
have forgotten the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
One must become free of the influence of the
modes to begin to understand who is Lord Krishna
and His expansions such as Narayana and Vishnu.
Brahma and Siva are also subject to the influence of
the modes.

Although Brahma and Siva are greatly elevated
personalities and are almost on the level of Lord
Vishnu, it is not possible for such empowered
personalities to release the conditioned souls from
the influence of the modes. The modes keep the living
entities in illusion that entangles them in the cycle of
birth and death. Both Brahma and Siva are slightly
influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance
respectively. This was experienced firsthand by
Bhrigu. Only Lord Vishnu is above the control of the
modes of nature and thus He is the master of the
material nature and its illusory influence. He alone can
give release to the conditioned souls. Siva confirms
that liberation can only be achieved by the mercy
of Lord Vishnu. He says, mukti-pradata sarvesam
vishnur eva na samsayah, “There is no doubt that
Vishnu is the deliverer of liberation for everyone.”
The Vedic literature, Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.8, also

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